My Chopper called "Peacemaker" is featured in the current issue of Easyriders Magazine (dated February). I am not going to tell you here the full story of this custom bike and list the tech sheet. Just read Easyriders! The only thing I want you to know is that this bike was built for charity in the memory of Mattie Stepanek the child poet, friend of […]
Archive for the 'Customs' Category
Old Ford Inspired Air Cleaner
Published by January 9th, 2008 in Accessories, Customs, Editorial and Engines.If you didn’t know, Hank Young was born and raised in a Rodder family. Hank has worked on (and still do) and owned (and still do) quite a few Hot Rods. So, no surprise that his proprietary parts have all this old cars feel. Like this air cleaner which incorporates a vintage Ford style horn […]
From Stock Harley To Harley Bobber
Published by January 8th, 2008 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Conversion kits where you know exactly what to buy to go from stock to where you want to go, are quite popular. This one to transform your factory Harley Twin-Cam in a machine with design clues from the past but keeping its modern technology and reliability. Yes, it looks like a Bobber but with a 250 mm […]
Touring Bikes Heel-Toe Control Set
Published by January 7th, 2008 in Controls, Customs and Editorial.No surprise. I receive more and more requests for cool touring motorcycles custom parts. This Heel-Toe Shifter extends 1" over stock on each end for ease of shifting with the advantage for the rider’s feet to use the whole floor board. Of course the same design is available for the brake side. Made out of […]
I guess that when you are a celebrity, you must, or should, set the example. Jay Leno worked with Mobil and S&S to develop a cruiser bike which meets the tough 2008 California Tier II emissions standards but can still perform almost with the agility of a sport bike. Both legal and practical even on […]
As Harley-Davidson states in its website, only the Motor Company can build the 105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. Seems very evident to me. And to you? Each one of the 14 different models offered is serialized and numbered. They all come in copper pearl and vivid black paint job, with chrome and copper detailing. And if you buy one before February […]
The Way Big Dog Motorcycles Sees It In 2008.
Published by January 5th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.It’s a tough time for everybody in the motorcycle industry. The market is hurt by aging demographics, market saturation and the real estate crisis in the US spreading outside our borders through the loss in value of mortgage backed securities. In an interview, Big Dog’s president Nick Messer, explains how his company intends to face the […]
Lot Of News From S&S Cycle
Published by January 4th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.First, S&S Cycle ® will be presenting several seminars at the 2008 Cincinnati V-Twin Expo (reserved to motorcycle dealers) and an opportunity to meet NHRA Pro-Stock Motorcycle Champion Matt Smith. Seminars will cover their exciting 2008 product line with topics including Flathead Power vintage engines and components, the S&S X-Wedge, S&S EPA Certified Engines, fuel […]
In the industry he is often referred as Kiwi Mike or Indian Mike. His full name is Mike Tomas and he is the President of Kiwi Indian MotorCycle Company. His career with Indian Motorcycles has spanned some 30 years. Mike moved from New Zealand to start Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company in Riverside CA. His company […]
Kewlmetal Slash Cut Exhaust Tips
Published by January 2nd, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Exhaust.These slash-cut exhaust tips are slightly different because they are made out of aluminum and the way the edge is machined. And for the bolt-on guy…they bolt-on in minutes in 4 rotational orientations. The tips fit all 2 ½” pipes including all the 2-1/2" Vance & Hines Big Shots, Long Shots and Straight Shots exhaust […]
Some of you are going to love it. Others to hate it. Me, I think it’s extremely cool. But not on all motorcycles, although it will complement well some high tech and almost all retro bikes (Imagine it hanging on a Girder or Springer front end). Body is in steel and chromed in a size 5" x 5" x […]
Ducati Desmosedici RR . An Example To Follow.
Published by December 27th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.It must feel very good. The Ducati Desmosedici RR was officially unveiled in June 2006 with the promise that only 1500 will ever been produced. And guess what? They are all sold and first deliveries will begin in January. Now, there is better than this. A long waiting list of people in a bidding war […]
Recall For Some Big Dog Motorcycles
Published by December 25th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.On some motorcycles, the rear fender struts attaching bolts can break allowing the rear fender to unbolt from the bikes concerned. This could occur without prior warning and could result in an injury or a crash. More than 8000 motorcycles have this security issue. The models affected by this recall are: some 2005-2007 Bulldog and […]
The reason why I am talking about this custom bike is not because it is already getting a lot of deserved media attention (It won 2nd place at the AMD European Championship), not because the builder is French, nor because his first name is Cyril (Dachstein), but […]
The Toy To Die For That You Can’t Afford
Published by December 22nd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Warning. Reading this post can be very frustrating. Especially if you struggle to pay your mortgage and your Harley loan. This is a very expensive toy (starting at $7500 up to $17,500!!!) conceived more for the eco-conscious Silicon Valley crowd than for us grease monkey gear heads. It’s a traditional pedal pusher, a motor-driven bike […]
Second Annual Arlen Ness Bike Show
Published by December 21st, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.The Arlen Ness show returns to the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, over the weekend of 26-27 January 2008. The Arlen Ness event will feature a Pro Class and 42 bike categories and will have 25,000 sq.ft of vendor and swap meet space. Registration at 1-800-907-7790 or visit Arlen Ness Bike Show.
Testing The New 2009 Indian Chief
Published by December 19th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.The launching time of the new Indian Chief has been postponed several times. The reason? Indian Motorcycle chairman Stephen Julius explains that he didn’t want to buy an engine from a 3rd party, and no surprisingly it takes longer than anticipated. We all know that without a proprietary engine, the new Indian Motorcycle company would […]
Indian Larry Legacy’s Paul Cox And Keino Sasaki Go Their Separate Ways
Published by December 18th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.The collaboration known as "Indian Larry Legacy" was formed in 2004 with one goal in mind, keeping Indian Larry’s memory alive. It was an organization composed of 4 friends and partners of Indian Larry: Paul Cox, Keino Sasaki, Bobby & Elisa Seeger. Together they produced custom motorcycles, parts, and apparel. In 2008 all partners will […]
Another part from Cycle Visions to make your bagger the most visible on the road without making it look too much like a Christmas tree. It’s a new windshield trim with integrated sequential amber turn signals and featuring 16 run & turn LED’s. Installation is easy by connecting the Tech Trim to your stock wiring harness. Trim […]
Roger Bourget Introduces The Shredder F-80 Quadracycle
Published by December 17th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.I knew that Roger Bourget was ready to try something new and build something else than 2-wheelers. Not only as a way to diversify his business but also to regenerate excitement in his professional life. Yeah, after a certain time (for him & me it’s already more than 15 years building bikes!) exploring new horizons […]
No, in our custom motorcycle world not everything is retro style. For all those who need digital high tech instrumentation, it’s difficult to beat the performance, reliability and design quality of the Dakota line of miscellaneous gauges. This new Spiked Speedometer/Tachometer Information Center gives you all the following. 0-199 MPH or KM/H Speedometer, 0-8,000 RPM […]
Ex OCC Vinnie Di Martino And Cody Connelly Start V-Force Customs
Published by December 14th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.First, I wondered if I should mention OCC in the title of this post because in their new V-Force Website none of them mention their former employer by name when each of them write his professional background. For both, it goes like that. Vinnie: "I started a job in a small local bike shop and the company (who?) […]
Ness Guest Speaker At Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum In Daytona Beach
Published by December 13th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.On March 7 in Daytona Beach, FL I will not sit next to Arlen, but front of him to listen to his stories (I hope new ones) from his celebrated career. It will be at 20th annual Hall Of Fame Museum “Friendraising” Breakfast. The event will be open to the public for $49 per person. […]
As a Custom Builder I am in the privileged position where I see all the new cool products just before they are released. And I can observe that the number of new items for baggers outnumbers by far any category of custom parts. Here a new example illustrating the explosion of […]
Ex-Titan Motorcycle Owner Andrew Donald Proudfoot Charged With VIN Fraud
Published by December 12th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Andrew Donald Proudfoot, ex-owner of Titan Motorcycle Co. is charged in a 3rd-degree felony case of VIN fraud (altering or removing an original VIN number). Known as “Donn” Proudfoot, Andrew was arrested March 3rd in Volusia County, Florida during Daytona Bike Week. He was bonded out of custody the same day. He was arraigned August […]
Hot Shocks From Progressive Suspension
Published by December 12th, 2007 in Customs, Editorial and Frames.Thanks to water-jet technology, you can now extend to your shocks the flame theme of your paint job. This is the first new product from Progressive Suspension for 2008. The company used their road proven multi-stage velocity sensitive damper system with 5 position pre-load adjuster, and combined it with water jet cut flamed cans. Shocks are provided […]
